Character matters more than skills when hiring good employees

Experience is highly over rated. So says the 2006 Stanford Business School Entrepreneurship Conference panel of recent graduates, venture capitalists, and established entrepreneurs.

I agree.

This character over skills argument applies to both the entrepreneurs who are starting a business (you don’t necessarily need to have experience in a business to be successful at it) and to those that you hire to build out your star team of people.

Oh sure, there are exceptions to every rule. My teammate Chris just casually mentioned passing by my office that he’ll keep the character over skills rule in mind next time he’s looking for a heart surgeon. But we’re talking about starting new businesses here, not choosing a mechanic, whether it’s for your car or your hip replacement. (outta my way Chris, I’m on a blogging roll here)

What do you think? You’re starting up a company and you need to put together a team. Are you going with experience or character?

I’m certainly looking for a specific skill set for each role, but when it comes down to it I’ll take a rookie with enthusiasm over a seasoned veteran with habits every time.

Total
0
Shares
Leave a Reply
Related Posts
Photo illustration of a man connecting with artificial intelligence to improve skills in an Image by Freepik Image by freepik
Read More

Upskilling: What It Is and 5 Ways to Upskill Your Team Using AI

As technology continues to adapt and create new opportunities within the workplace, it becomes increasingly important for companies to fill these new roles with candidates who possess specialized skills.    Upskilling lets organizations close the...
Group of people having a meeting in sleek offices.
Read More

5 Costs You Can Cut Without Killing Your Startup

When you're building your dream startup, cutting costs can seem like a step back. But that's not true.  As you grow and expand, keeping costs in check becomes crucial for your long-term success. It's like...
Read More

How to Leverage the Gig Economy for Startup Success

The world of startups is a fast-paced one, and one where the gig economy is a secret weapon for success. Any aspiring entrepreneur is always on the lookout for smart, practical ways to make the...